Today, the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has published its second report on digital consumer protection. According to the results, consumers in Germany are increasingly affected by cyber-attacks and IT security incidents, even without being directly attacked. This is because successful cyber-attacks on local governments, hospitals, businesses, or other institutions may have a significant impact on many people who live in these communities, are customers of companies or otherwise use services provided by the institutions.
These are further details:
- The digital threat level remains high for consumers: around a quarter have already been affected by cybercrime, such as by third-party access to their own online account (31 percent), downloading malware (28 percent) and phishing (25 percent).
- Phishing and smishing attacks, for example, or alleged customer service calls try to obtain and then misuse the access data of those affected by means of highly personalized information.
- Despite this ongoing threat of cybercrime, only half of consumers are interested in information about security on the Internet, and 22 percent even said they never seek information.
- Respondents mentioned using antivirus programs (62 percent), strong passwords (60 percent) and an up-to-date firewall (53 percent) as measures for personal digital protection. Two-factor authentication (40 percent) and automatic updates (32 percent) remained underestimated among consumers.
Arne Schönbohm, BSI President, emphasized: "The report reveals a dynamic threat situation for consumers. In particular, the manufacturers and providers of digital offerings have a duty: administrative bodies, companies and other institutions must live up to their responsibility. They must ensure that the personal or customer data entrusted to them cannot be lost or misused. And they must ensure – also in their own interests – that their digital services are secure and products are available without restriction."
Source: BSI
Further information and the report